Betros waiting for lucky number-seven

With six offers already on the table, 6-foot-2, 225-pound Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles junior linebacker Scott Betros is patiently waiting and hoping that lucky number seven will be from the University of Florida.

"I've been a Gator fan from the very beginning," Betros said, "I always go to their games every Saturday to cheer on Florida, it's been that way forever. Hopefully they will come through soon, although I am happy with what I have right now."

Betros has already visited Florida for its annual Junior Day and came away pleased.

"I loved everything about it, I spent a lot of time with Coach Mattison," Betros said. "Coach Matison was great and we just talked about where I fit into their program, and they mentioned how they loved my video.

"I thought their linebacker core was pretty good, but I was confident that I could play at Florida if I ended up picking them. I know they are looking for some help at linebacker and the visit was great in getting to check out the campus and meeting with the coaches for Florida. I spoke with Coach Meyer a little bit, but spent most of my time with Coach Mattison," Betros recently told FlaVarsity.com Michael Langston.

Others trying to lure Betros away from his childhood favorite include Clemson, Duke, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Ole Miss, Southern Miss Wake Forest and Alabama.

Betros who already has offers from Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, and Wake Forest talked about the six schools as well as a few late comers.

"I'm leaving tomorrow (Friday) at noon, to travel to Wake Forest this weekend and catch their spring game," Betros said.

With six other guys from the Jacksonville area already calling Wake Forest home, including three former Bolles players, Betros wouldn't have to worry as much about homesickness.

"There is always a chance you will get homesick but I know all of the Jacksonville and Nease guys which would make it a lot easier on me," Betros said.

While at Wake Forest, Betros will not only catch the spring game but will also be attending a banquet which will honor this past seasons team giving the players their ACC Championship and Orange Bowl rings.

Aside from Florida, other SEC schools such as Georgia, South Carolina, Ole Miss and lately Alabama have taken notice in Betros.

"I have a high interest in Georgia, they wanted me to come visit them but their spring game was Easter weekend and I wasn't able to go, Betros said, "They said they will come visit me in the spring and give me their decision about offering, they text me a lot."

"I haven't had a chance to get up to South Carolina yet, but I have talked to Steve Spurrier Jr. and they are coming to see me in the Spring," Betros said.

Ole Miss boasts 15 guys from Florida including three from Jacksonville area including one of Betros friends from nearby Bishop Kenny High.

"George Helow is there, and my teammate Garret Faircloth is also interested in them, they offered me but they have also offered 10 other inside linebackers," Betros said, "I wanted to visit them but their spring game was Easter weekend."

Big Ten schools Indiana, Illinois have taken notice on Betros and offered immediately.

"I talked to Coach (Gerald) Brown special teams co-coordinator from Indiana and within two weeks they offered me," Betros said," I haven't really looked at their program yet."

With Illinois head coach Ron Zook and assistant coach Dan Disch from Illinois turning in a top five recruiting class this past February, a lot more recruits are starting to take notice in them including Betros.

"I'm looking forward to going up there in two weeks for their spring game, I'm taking our tightend Mickey Triglia with me on my visit," Betros said, "Coach Disch has been in contact with me over a year now, Zook offered me on signing day and they only have offered one other inside linebacker."

Last year Illinois signed two Jacksonville prospects in Troy Pollard and D'Angelo McCray. Could another northeast Florida product be on his way to Champaign?

"Having that Jacksonville connection helps but ultimately it comes down to the weather, being that its in Chicago."

UCLA spent two hours emailing Betros family two nights ago in a late effort to get Betros to come out to Los Angeles but Betros insist they come see him play in the spring.

Betros has been playing on the varsity team for four years, two years at Episcopal (8-9) and the last two years at Bolles.

Last season, he registered 122 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups for Bolles after accounting for 98 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 4 pass breakups his sophomore season.

Football isn t the only sport in which Betros excels at, currently Betros is apart of the Bolles baseball team, which is ranked No. 7 in the latest FSWA Class 3A rankings sporting a 17-6 record.

Before last nights game, Betros was batting .375 with 5 homeruns, while having an estimated 14 homeruns taken away at the fence this season including two more last night.

Betros hasn't ruled out turning in his baseball cleats for good and could end playing in college.

"If the football coaches are okay, I'm okay with it but right now I'm looking only at football but I don't have a problem with playing both," Betros said.

While on a football recruiting trip March 3 at Duke, Betros was approached by the Duke baseball coaches about playing there.

"While on the visit to the football stadium, the baseball coach comes running up to us minutes before their doubleheader game against Holy Cross and says he has a spot for me my first two years here."

Betros confirmed that he would like to make his decision public as soon as possible.

"I will make my decision soon by the end of spring or early June at the least, I can assure which ever school I commit to I am fully committed to."